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Unknown condition makes £260 hard to call a bargain, because for a late-1970s 26 WPC Kenwood that’s a price that needs a clean, serviced example to justify it. In the used market, this model usually lands in the modest vintage-receiver bracket rather than the high-ticket one, so £260 is at least on the firm side unless it’s been fully checked, recapped, or is unusually original and immaculate.
What keeps it interesting is the classic Kenwood formula: a solid FM/AM tuner, proper phono stage, dual speaker outputs, and a sweet-looking silver face from the brand’s strong late-’70s era. It’s a good buy for someone wanting a musical, understated vintage receiver rather than brute power, but at this money I’d want confirmation it powers up cleanly, all lamps and controls work, and the tuner is stable; missing service history or scratchy controls would matter here.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Kenwood traces its origins to December 21, 1946, when it was founded as Kasuga Radio Co. Ltd. in Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, by a group of entrepreneurs led by William "Bill" Kasuga. Emerging in the postwar era, the company initially produced electronic components and amateur radio gear, renaming to Trio Corporation in 1960 before adopting the Kenwood name in 1986 to appeal to Western markets—blending "Ken," a familiar name across Japan and America, with "Wood" evoking durability and Hollywood. This rebranding fueled rapid international growth, starting with a U.S. office in Los Angeles County in 1963.
The brand built its legacy on high-quality audio and communications equipment, excelling in home hi-fi amplifiers like the acclaimed 1970 Supreme 1 multichannel model, receivers, tuners, and speakers with innovations such as polypropylene cones. Kenwood also pioneered car audio systems, including the first audio/video amplifier for home theater in 1981 and anti-theft cassette decks, alongside professional two-way radios and amateur transceivers. While maintaining roots in consumer electronics, it expanded into automotive infotainment.
Today, as part of JVCKENWOOD since the 2008 merger with JVC, Kenwood holds a solid mid-tier position in car audio and professional communications, prized by enthusiasts for reliable performance and aftermarket upgrades. Its vintage home hi-fi gear from the 1970s and 1980s commands respect among collectors for robust build and warm sound, though it no longer dominates pure hi-fi markets.
See all Kenwood listings on RADAR.
